Park Now > Park Now Archive > 2019 First Quarter Archive
Mar. 24 2019 about 35th Anniversary Castle and the next.
Mar. 16 2019 About Happiest Mickey Spot.
Feb. 20 2019 Pixar Playtime 2019.
Feb. 03 2019 TDL 35th Anniversary at TDS.
Jan. 26 2019 About Duffy's Heartwarming Days 2019.
Jan. 11 2019 About A New Year at TDR.
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Mar. 24 2019 about 35th Anniversary Castle and the next.
The TDL 35th Anniversary year is coming to an end. When it comes to "Anniversary" in the park, we always longing for a decoration on the castle.
It's like this below picture.
As you can see the Cinderella castle was adorned by many colorful balloons in TDL 30th anniversary.
Now this 35th anniversary is streamers on the castle.
Uh…is that really ornament on the castle?
Haha, NO!
It's just a board in center of the hub.
They could not put anything on the castle because of projection mapping.
Everything for projection mapping show, especially "Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland" which started 10. July 2018.
Therefore this trompe l’oeil board folded automatically near the show time!
See? You can see a naked castle.
Honestly speaking, from one of the above reason, the projection mapping is not my thing. I miss the actual gorgeous decoration of the castle. And I'm longing for the actual castle stage show with human touch.
But listen folks! Finally, we will see stage show again in 2019 summer!!
Link: http://www.olc.co.jp/en/news/news_tdr/20180927_01e/main/0/link/20190320_01_1e.pdf
"Donald's Hot Jungle Summer" will come back as the newest castle stage show in the nighttime.
The show will be use tons of water spray and fire which will be so exciting. I think it's like a below picture.
These picture from "Soryo Kobu the Final" in 2012. So definitely the stage in 2019 will be more dramatic.
The costume of the concept design reminds me "Blazing Rhythms" in 2003-2005.
The above is the pin of Blazing Rhythms 2003. This show was one of the legendry nighttime castle show in TDL has still many fans which used so many special effects fires. So it's going to be awesome!
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Mar. 16 2019 About Happiest Mickey Spot.
There is one of a special feature in TDL 35th anniversary year. TDR officially called its "Happiest Mickey Spot" tumidity, but what is it exactly?
It's a limited-time only decorations which are various Mickey statues with every theme-land or theme-port aspects.
The total is 35 pieces which in response to TDL's anniversary year. So I'll introduce the all of them that scattered around TDL and TDS.
There is a booster which arouse your curiosity of these statues.
This is a post cards set. There is a concept sketch of the each statue printed on the all 35 pieces. Each of the card has the Mickey from the back, that's so nice.
There are two units in a hub in front of the castle.
Lancer Mickey and Minstrel Mickey which are perfect statue in front of the Cinderella Castle.
You can find three units in Westernland.
Relaxing Mickey in a rocking chair in front of Mark Twain Riverboat, Cowboy Mickey near Big Thunder Mountain, and Banjo playing Mickey is located in before Country Bear Theater.
The original sketch is more romantic, with surrounded by fireflies.
I love this Mickey in Westernland.
Mickey's tender harmonica melody make a rattlesnake fascinated. A yellow gold cactuses enhanced the earth pillar scenic.
Only one, but cute statue in Critter Country area.
How peaceful tea for two time!
Here comes Fantasyland. This area has two statues.
Both of them are really cute, I'd like to see you the below first.
This adorable Mickey and friends statue is located next to Kingdom Treasure the merchandise shop.
What kind of book are you reading so enthusiastically?
It's a blank! If there is something inside the book, I'd have pick this statue up for my favorite five. It's so close.
There are three statues in Toontown.
It's really interesting that Mickey is busy with work in this most joke-full area.
He is promote from the original sketch.
Another four statues in Tomorrowland. Each of three are really nice. I'd like you to see these two first.
Jetpack Mickey is really cool! And I really love this the jet of gas to generate thrust. This flying Mickey is located near Plazma Ray's Dinner's entrance.
You can find a shutter bag Mickey in front of Star Tours.
It's really hilarious that tooooo close to take a photo.
More interesting thing is this statue’s concept art is more enthusiastic.
The original sketch Mickey use a flash! Is it OK in the Galactic regulations?
Another Mickey in Tomorrowland.
As you know World Bazaar is very packed, so there is one statue in there.
Thinking of new menu or Keeping accounts? Yes, this statue is in next to Eastside Restaurant.
If you are great treasure hunter, you will be able to find him. Yes Pirates Mickey's hideout is a quiet corner of Adventureland.
Cool and gorgeous.
Here are the others.
As I posted it before, TDS also has them which feel a little bit strange to me, so let's check out.
Mediterranean Harbor has one Mickey Statue.
This captain Mickey is located near entrance of "TDS Transit Steamer Line". It's very simple theme and location.
There are three statues in American Waterfront.
Painter Mickey is in front of "Steamboat Mickey's" the merchandise store. Fisherman Mickey is next to an exit of "TDS Transit Steamer Line" in Cape Cod.
The below Boater Mickey is in Waterfront Park.
If this Dandy statue is in a different location, we could see a Pixar Ball flowerbed in this year too.
You can find three golden Mickeys in Lost River Delta.
The Thanks to the South America vegetables Mickey is located in front of "Miguel's Eldorado Cantina" the restaurant. Mickey with Butterfly is riverside path.
Archeologist Mickey is located near an entrance of "Mickey & Friends' Greeting Trails" the meet & greet facility.
I really miss the spider webs in the original design!
There are 2 statues in Mermaid Lagoon.
I love sea maestro Mickey. It really looks like he's in a middle in the sea water.
Arabian Coast has two statues.
Merchants Mickey is in located near Abu's Bazaar the game wagon. Playing the Kamanche Mickey is in front of "Jasmine's Flying Magic Carpets".
Every location of the Mickey in this port is beautiful. My favorite statue with amazing location is the below.
Relaxing with Tea Mickey is located in a center of Arabian Coast. We can understand how he spend a perfect tea time from his eyes closed expression.
There are three units in Mysterious Island.
This port is really fill with lots of mystery. Both of them are very fantastic.
As you can see the above post card, the seaweed is glowing!
So this is my favorite 5 Mickey statues!
Trophy Space Mickey at Tomorrowland
This space suit Mickey is really cool, especially with a helmet. The pose is also terrific.
The modeling is amazing and the trophy which he holds stimulate our imagination.
King Mickey and a Dragon at Fantasyland.
I have a thing for Mickey in a medieval attire. (Do you think so?)
And it's our dream that have a mythical friend or right-hand. These statue tells never ending their adventures.
Mickey with a Time-table at Toontown.
It's located at a backside of discontinued Jolly Trolley stop.
Look at his face! Mickey, the Jolly Trolley are closed on 2009!
That's why the time table is a blank!
Treasure Friendship at Mermaid Lagoon.
I can see how Mickey is sweet with an innocent fish.
Their encounter express a genuine love for everything of a sea.
Seabed Exploration Mickey at Mysterious Island.
This design is amazing embodiment not only for Mysterious Island, but also the Tokyo DisneySea park itself as "Where Adventure and Imagination Set Sail.".
He's so cute with the mask.
That' all! Which Mickey is your favorite?
The display of these golden statues end to 25 March, so let's check it them in a hurry.
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Feb. 20 2019 Pixar Playtime 2019.
January to March is the least peak season to TDR. They always try to keep a high attendance in a cold and windy coastal TDR parks during this winter season.
So they launched various special event which some events were very inspiring like "Snow White's Spring Romance" in 1997 and "Mickey & Minnie's Dance Fever" in 1998, or others made a huge success, like "Club Disney Super Dancin' Mania 1st Stage" the legendary incredible stage show in 2000 or "Cinderellabration" in 2003 which was transported and performed at WDW.(but WDW Cinderellabration was totally different from the original version of TDL.)
The above is "Mickey & Minnie's Dance Fever" in 1998.
And these two below are "Club Disney Super Dancin' Mania" in 2000.
Honestly speaking, I didn't feel any charm of the special event in this decade.
But, last year 2018, there was a silver lining at TDS.
That is "Pixar Playtime". And this special event has come back to TDS, and now you can dive into this special event with many Pixar characters.
The park itself has changed to a park wide game board.
So you can start with this roulette.
Each square of the game is so interesting.
I think these are new design square in 2019.
And some lines are changed as the latest movie.
There are Teleport Points.
There are so many extra decorations, mostly mini game wagons according to Pixar's film.
Each of them are very cute, and so well-themed.
The game corners are mostly the same as 2018 the last year's, so please check 2018.
Basically, all games for kids, but we can enjoy not only to see, but also try it by oneself.
Every game site has a character game piece and roulette which tell your next point.
These sea folks are newcomer in 2019.
The Edna's point is new, and there are cute and great photo opportunity.
Yes, Aunt Edna's lovable friend, Jack Jack.
If you look at the people behind him, you can see how the baby big is.
And another new photo location is in Lost River Delta.
The theme itself is very nice.
You can be a contestant with a dante on a stage.
But look at the below picture, this photo opportunity disregarded a site flow.
This is one of a passage way to Port Discovery from Mermaid Lagoon.
So a cameraman who stand to take the photo block the come and go people. And more badly, there are queue lines of it on the other side of the street. This street is very mess in this season with this new additional.
There are two special shows, which named "Pixar's Playtime" the main show and "Chef Remy & You" the sub show and two special greetings, "Pixar Pals Steamers" the water greeting and "Lightning McQueen Victory Lap" the ground greeting.
Here is excerpt from the shows and greetings.
"Chef Remy & You"
Two kitchen assistants shows their skill without Chef.
But they looks good at juggling than cooking.
Sometimes objects juggled with vegetables, other is baton twirling with a long egg whisk.
Here comes the Chef Remy and put out the fire.
I really love a scene which he is kneading a bread dough.
Finally, Chef Remy cooked beautiful course.
"Pixar Pals Steamers"
It's unstated schedule water greeting. So it's lucky to see these two ships.
I didn't notice that Woody was steering.
A water channel run though TDS park, so you can enjoy to see it from anywhere near the river.
"Lightning McQueen Victory Lap"
Another meet and greet on the ground is very difficult to see.
The pit crews came with pal stick.
And I don't know what's going on, but maybe the crew taught mini dance, then they dance and welcomed the winner Lightning McQueen with the guests. (the flags is NOT giveaway. They collect it after the greeting.)
You can see the winner's tail.
It's so popular.
"Pixar's Playtime"
The main viewing area is allotted by a lottery. So I couldn't see it…
You can feel every segment is too childish, but remember the event is "Pixar's Playtime", and all of the toys want to play with you, even you've already grown up!
So don't be shy, let's play and dance!
Only two things which I disappear is this year's event.
One is a flowerbed.
In last year 2018, there was a magnificent Pixar ball flowers in Waterfront Park.
Another one is a banner design in 2019.
See? No need any over explanations! The last year's original design was so stylish, and if you don't understand what the banner came from, the guessing was also fun.
Also I love the last year's picture.
Don't forget your mission!
You can get a special sticker, if you success four missions.
- Howdy (Say "Howdy" to a cast member in American Waterfront.)
- High Five (Give a high five to a cast member in Port Discovery.)
- Air Guitar (Show your performance which pretend to play a guitar to a cast member in Lost River Delta, or Arabian Coast.)
- Hero Pose (Strike a cool pose as a hero to a cast member in Mediterranean Harbor, or Mediterranean Harbor.)
Anyway the Toys are waiting for you!
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Feb. 03 2019 TDL 35th Anniversary at TDS.
We can see so many advertisements of TDR everywhere in Japan, and you are TDR expert in abroad who keep your eyes open for TDR information.
So we know that now TDL celebrates 35th anniversary. It's started from 15 April the actual TDL opening day, and this special celebration will take place to 25 March.
I think many foreigner can't understand why TDL or OLC has launched this huge celebration though a whole year for a just 35th. I don't suppose most Japanese have a thought that each quarter is a milestone. Otherwise we tend to feel a number of "5" is special.
That's why OLC stir our habit, and TDL 35th anniversary is big success.
Funnier thing, you can find this celebration of TDL 35th anniversary in TDS.
You can see 35th anniversary banner at TDS entrance.
Even spring to Fall…
Many TDR 35th logo in every event in TDS.
As you know, TDR stands for Tokyo Disney Resort which consist of TDL, TDS the two Tokyo parks, Ikspiari the shopping mall, and the surrounding area which include official hotels and the monorail.
35th is a number since TDL has opened, it's not for TDR.
So let's check the actual anniversary of each facility.
| Facility Name | Opening Date | Anniversary |
| TDL | 1983 Apr. 15 | 35th |
| Sunroute Plaza Tokyo (the very first official Hotel) |
1986 Jul. 20 | 32th |
| IKSPIARI | 2000 Jul. 07 | 18th |
| Disney Ambassador Hotel | 2000 Jul. 07 | 18th |
| Von Voyage | 2001 Mar. 01 | 17th |
| Monorail | 2001 Jul. 27 | 17th |
| TDS | 2001 Sep. 04 | 17th |
| Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta | 2001 Sep. 04 | 17th |
| Tokyo Disneyland Hotel | 2008 Jul. 08 | 10th |
| Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel (The latest official hotel) |
2010 Mar.16 | 8th |
After seeing the above truth, how do you feel "TDR 35th anniversary" banner everywhere in TDS?
Actually, TDS is now 17 years old!
Why does OLC enjoy the fresh age, or celebrate young era?
I understand that visiting TDL in a big anniversary year looks very attractive and great opportunity to go.
So TDS the struggling park want to get a benefits from TDL 35th Anniversary.
But, TDS, you have to think first and foremost, why you are in difficult time now!
Everything makes TDS blur, which includes the bad and harsh decision to Stormrider the original deep-themeport-rooted attraction, no effective operation for many greedy reseller the root of all evil in the park, and a breaking of TDS individual atmosphere and the original concept.
I hope they will not take easy and almost cheating draw anymore.
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Jan. 26 2019 About Duffy's Heartwarming Days 2019.
In Japan, many abroad culture come and evolved in unique (sometimes, weird) ways.
Japanese St. Valentine's Day is also isolated development culture from the origin in your country.
It's famous day for a girl tell a boy with a chocolate. (Not boy to girl.)
So, I think many Japanese didn't get "Flowers, CHOCOLATES, promises you don't intend to keep." the Cogsworth's advice to the Beast around released year 1991. Because present a chocolate was common for people of that time.
That's why "Sweet Duffy" started in this season and used many chocolates or sweets as a decoration.
In recent years this funny culture has changed the target to between friends (it called Tomo-Choco. Tomo means friend.) from girl to boy or woman to man.
And "Sweet Duffy" has also convert for more a friend than a lover as nowadays trend of Japanese Valentine's Day.
The event name changed to "Duffy's Heart Warming Days".
This event has not a big difference from "Sweet Duffy" as used to do.
There is no special show, no special barge greeting, just enjoy the special merchandises shopping surrounding the limited-time-only decorations, and meet and greet with special costume Duffy and ShellieMay at Cape Cod area.
Let's visit a festive mood Cape Cod.
You can find this year's story on a banner.
Then you'll find some working place of it.
Yes, it's a small village, so everybody knows what they're doing.
A little bit mean less feeling bulletin board set during this season.
Who are you!?
It's like a character from "Banshee's Last Cry" the old video game.
This is the boys' working place.
The left is Duffy's stool. And right is Gelatoni's.
There is a final design in front of Duffy's chair.
The left picture was took on the first week of the event started, and the right was after about two weeks.
The two paint brushes was gone.
"D" & "G", hmm, these thermos for Duffy and Gelatoni. And I assuming from the ribbon on the basket, it brought by Minnie.
It's very nice the little present for the boys from Minnie.
This is the girl's working place.
The left is for ShellieMay, and the other side is for StellaLou.
But there is no little gift for ShellieMay and StellaLou!
Hmm…Girl's world is so difficult and complicated…
Anyway, they accomplished fantastic job.
It's excellent work!
Need some chocolates?
You will be able to get a various chocolate for a special occasion in this season!
It's good time to prepare for Valentine's Day!
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Jan. 11 2019 About A New Year at TDR.
TDR New Year
I wish you a Happy New Year. Let's have fun this year, too!
So I'd like to start a park with new year’s decoration.
There were a Kadomatsu the Japanese traditional gate decorations in each park. The left is TDS, the right is TDL.
All things about New Year in Japan is little bit different from a lunar new year which you've heard about it.
Nowadays Japanese New Year based on Gregorian calendar, so TDR took place new year decoration to 6 JAN from 1st JAN.
Every year has a symbol of animal which known as Chinese zodiac.
In this year is Boar (Etymology is a pig, but actually uses a boar for the zodiac in Japan.)
We can see Disney friends in Kimono at "New Year's Greeting" during this only 6 days.
They sold a cute spinning top as a capsule toy in this New Year's week. I couldn't get Pumbaa the star of this year, but I love this two pieces in one. So good start to this year.
I hope the New Year finds you in good health and excellent spirit!
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